The Greenville times. [volume] (Greenville, Miss.) 1868-1917, 1887-12-17
THE STATE COSTICTS.

TTimes-Democrat.I


Mississippi, by an act approved March
IL, 1886, created the Railroad Com
mission and Board Of Control Of the
Penitentiary. Section Is of said act
requires that said Board of Control
shall carefully examine into the mat
ter of the discipline and management
of the penitentiary, and investigate the
generalquestion of prison management
and lay before the next legislature
plan by which the state shall be en-
abled to exercise direct control and
exclusive management of the peniten-
tiary and conviets."
In compliance with the statute the
said board have in their report oftheir
acts and doings in connection with the
penitentiary, submitted the follow
ing:
The problem presented for solution
is one fraught with many difficulties
and one which has been source of
trouble, we imagine, to all civilized
countries and communities. The ex-
perience of other states throws but
little light upon the subject. The diff
ferent legislatures of the state of Mis-
sissippi have attempted to devise ways
and means to punish and protect its
convicts, and up to this time have fail
ed to fall upon a plan which is salts
factory. The present system has been
much criticised, but those criticising
have failed to suggest a practical
plan.
This. board has, however, after hav-
ing given the matter much thought
and consideration, concluded in COM
pliance with the requirements of said
act, to make the following recommend
alton, fearing, however, that the end
desired may not be fully realized
First-There should be Board OF
Control, charged with the general SUI
pervision of the penitentiary and con-
victs, clothed with full authority to
manage and dispose of the same upon
such terms as the legislature may deem
proper and wise.
Second-The guards and all con-
nected with the management thereof
should be appointed by said Board o.
Control, and be subject to discharg,
by the board for failure to perform
such duties as may be prescribed
These guards and all other employees
should be paid out of the state treas
ury, and the employees should no
have to look to the lessees for thei
pay. A limit to salaries to be pait
should be fixed by the Legislature.
Third-A small farm near jackson
should be obtained, upon which sucl
convicts as are not able-bodied and o
: sufficient strength to be employed upol
public works can be engaged in cult
waiting peas, corn, potatoes and othe
articles of food for consumption by tn
prisoners:
Fourth-There should be provide,
at the walls such facilities for manu-
featuring, cabinet-making, smithing
wagon-making, carpentering, shoe
making, tailoring, etc, as will emplo.
a all convict whose time of service is TO
a long term This work should, W
think, be confined as nearly as posi-
BILE to the making of such articles a
are to be used by the penitentiary
thereby avoiding as much as possibl
competition with free labor In thi
l way an opportunity would be give
| a prisoner to learn trade by whic
= he could be useful to himself and as
citizen, after his term of service eA
pires and in addition prevent thos
who are most liable to escape from dc
ing so. Convicts serving long sci
tences should, under no circumstance
g be worked outside the walls If tn
state expects to enforce the penaltit
imposed by the courts.
Fifth-The able-bodied convicts,
, pronounced upon examination by I'll
penitentiary physician, who are ne
sentenced for life or for long term
: might be employed on public worl
. as the legislature may deem prope
. under contract to be made by Il
n Board of Control within limits to
II designated by law. The contract
provide for the payment of stip1
t. lated price for work performed by Il
: conyicts under the exclusive contr
and management of the agents OF Il
, state.
rbe fund arising from this sour'
4 a.oo1a nf thp work slODS
from the pr, 'oeou' v -. , +.
-niUht he Urov